Birgus the Bobber. 
l 35 
led so that he might dig the creature out, he 
was suddenly seized by the wrist. Suffering 
the most acute pain he tried to drag his arm 
out, but the size and strength of the crab 
proved too much. His loud outcries were 
fortunately heard by the white man and also by 
a party of women and children who were fishing 
on the reef close by. Rushing to his assistance 
they at once tore away the soil and net-work of 
roots till the uu was reached and a sheath knife 
was plunged through its pendulous tail. The 
crab at once released its hold of the wretched 
man, who, however, was severely injured, and 
never recovered the full use of his right hand 
again. 
In captivity the robber crab, when fed on a 
diet of coconut, with an occasional bit of raw 
fish, thrives very well, and becomes perfectly 
resigned. An empty ship biscuit tin is selected 
for its prison and proves a secure one 
unless there should be a hole or crack anywhere 
along the sides or in the bottom. This the 
“ robber ” would soon discover, and inserting 
the tip of a claw into the place, tear the tin 
apart like paper and make its escape. 
